one too many.

My pump site was itchy last night and into this morning. Annoying and noticably itchy. The itchiness, coming and going, but mostly staying. They say you can keep the sets in for 3 days, and goodness knows I keep them in for the full 3 days and then some, if at all possible. Every time I have to change my site, I have a brief flash of resentment. A moment of feeling sorry for myself. But then I get to it. And in the blink of an eye it's done. But I digress.

So this morning, I knew I needed to change my site even though it hadn't been in the full 3 days. I changed it, and though I didn't have a full blown infection, I was pretty close. It felt awful. Itchy, soar, irritated. Boy did it feel good to get the set out. And all day, I kept checking it. Making sure it was ok. All day, I felt better and yet also a bit sad. Sad that I have to deal with this kind of thing. Sick of my skin feeling mildly irritated, by either the site or the adhesive or my jeans rubbing against it. I put the sets in different places and each has it's upside and downside. My old standby is my backside and hips. Overall, it's been the best place, but as I've said before, it's getting a bit tired and is in need of a break. I do use my legs, though the tubing often get tangled or tugged when I'm getting dressed. Occassionally I use my belly, but it's only good for 2 days because I'm lean and the candula tweeks my abdominal muscles. I haven't tried arms yet which I guess I should, but with all the shoulder recovery, I have no fat there to speak of. Round and round I go.

In the end, it's just a small thing. A small thing that sometimes feels so big. One of many small things that makes up life with diabetes. Unto itself, not such a big deal. Like a paper cut. Small but irritating. Small but such a pain. As with most stuff around diabetes, it's never just one thing. It's all the small things that add up to how it felt today. That this one small thing, was simply one too many.

Thanks for the pic from beth.

Comments

[Scott K. Johnson]

Yes - I've felt this way too. A paper cut is a pretty good way to describe it.

I also think of our infusion sets as a very personal and almost intimate part of the connection to our pumps. Though - intimate is not the right word. More like violation. It is the part that stabs us, that can be uncomfortable. It is a violation.

But we deal and move on. So much dealing we do sometimes.

[Chrissie in Belgium]

Boy do I understand! I was so worried about using my arms b/c they are skinnyish. Scott got me to try both my upper thighs and arms. I am so happy I did, although a few minor learning knots had to be untangled. Afterwards you feel stronger - like dam you disease I am the boss, not you!

[AmyT]

Ooh, I'm itching too. But can't move my OmniPod without wasting a pod. What's a PWD to do??